The Morrison Government has announced more flexibility for older Australians and their superannuation from the new financial year as the changes will allow to skip the the work test for people aged 65 and 66 when making voluntary concessional and non-concessional contributions.
At the same time, people up to age 75 would be allowed to receive spouse contributions.
The changes were announced as a part of the 2019-2020 Budget, “Superannuation – improving flexibility for older Australians” measure.
Additionally, people aged 65 and 66 would be allowed to make up to three years of non-concessional contributions under the bring-forward rule, which is currently before the Parliament in the Treasury Laws Amendment Bill 2020.
“The Morrison Government is conscious that systems must be sufficiently flexible to allow individuals to save for their retirement, through life’s ups and downs,” the Assistant Minister for Superannuation, Financial Services and Financial Services Technology, senator Jane Hume.
“These challenges will allow more Australians to boost their savings as they near their retirement.”
In its pre-election policy document, the FSC highlighted 15 priority reforms, with superannuation featuring prominently, urging both major parties to avoid changing super taxes without a comprehensive tax review.
The Grattan Institute has labelled the Australian super system as “too complicated” and has proposed a three-pronged reform strategy to simplify superannuation in retirement.
Super funds delivered a strong 2024 result, with the median growth fund returning 11.4 per cent, driven by strong international sharemarket performance, new data has shown.
Australian Ethical has seen FUM growth of 27 per cent in the financial year to date.